Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) (www.thegef.org) unites 183 member governments—in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector—to address global environment issues. An independently operating financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, the GEF has provided US$12.5 billion in grants and leveraged US$58 billion in co-financing for 3,690 projects in 165 developing countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP) the GEF has made more than 20,000 grants totaling about US$1 billion to civil society and community-based organizations.

The GEF International Waters (IW) focal area targets transboundary water systems, such as shared river basins, lakes, groundwater and large marine ecosystems. The IW portfolio comprises 242 projects to date and some US$1.4 billion of GEF grants invested in 149 different countries. This investment has leveraged about US$8.4 billion in co-financing. 

UNDP GEF Kura Project “Advancing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)  across the Kura river basin through implementation of the transboundary agreed actions and national plans” will be implementing the Strategic Action Program for the Kura River Basin in partnership with the Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The SAP is framed around four agreed Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EQO) which are:

• To achieve sustainable utilization of water resources to ensure access to water and preserve ecosystem services;
• To achieve water quality such that it would ensure access to clean water for present and future generations and sustain ecosystem functions in the Kura river basin;
• To achieve and maintain ecosystem status whereby they provide essential environmental and socio-economic services in a sustainable manner in the Kura River Basin; and,
• To achieve mitigation of adverse impacts of flooding and climate change on infrastructures, riparian ecosystems and communities.

The GEF will support priority activities towards these objectives. The GEF funded SAP implementation Project has the objective “to integrate water resources management in the Kura river basin to address water-energy-food-ecosystem security nexus through the implementation of agreed actions in the SAP”.
There will be five components to support the countries to achieve this objective. These are:

• Project Component 1: Establishment of effective cross sectoral IWRM governance protocols at the local, national and transboundary levels in the Kura Basin;
• Project Component 2: Strengthening national capacities to implement multi-sectoral IWRM in the Kura basin;
• Project Component 3: Stress reduction in critical areas and pre-feasibility studies to identify investment opportunities for improving river system health;
• Project Component 4: Targeted education and involvement projects to empower stakeholders in implementing local / national / regional actions in support of SAP implementation;
• Project Component 5: Enhancing science for governance by strengthening monitoring, information management and data analysis systems for IWRM.

Location: Home-based with missions to Baku, Azerbaijan and Tbilisi Georgia

Duties and Responsibilities

The widespread decline in river ecosystems across the Kura river basin has resulted from river engineering activities and the alteration of the river and its floodplain. These activities have been in response to changing landscape activities as a result of industrialization, urbanization and intensification of agriculture. By restoring natural conditions, river restoration improves the resilience of the river systems and provides the framework for the river sustainable multifunctional use. River restoration is an integral part of sustainable water management and is in direct support of the aims of the EU Water Framework Directive, and national and regional water management policies.

The Strategic Action Program (SAP) and the UNDP-GEF Kura II Project Document expressed the importance of introducing the concept of river ecological restoration and support the two countries in applying this concept in a pilot areas.

The Project Document also includes specific outputs in component 5 (output 5.3) for a transboundary river system ecological assessment. This task will support the two countries in developing a 2-year plan for the assessment of the ecological status of the Kura river basin, review and update the river ecological classification status.
In year 2017, the UNDP-GEF Kura II project hired an international consultant for river ecological restoration where he developed the 18-month monitoring plan for environmental flow calculation and for the river ecological classification. A RFQ was prepared to implement this monitoring plan in one sub basin in Georgia and two sub basins in Azerbaijan.

The services of a qualified and highly competent consultant will be required to assist the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) in following up the implementation of the 18-month monitoring plan and develop assessment reports on the environmental flow using the project proposed methodology. He/She will also support the PCU in the development of the river restoration plan for the selected site in Hajiqabul lake in Azerbaijan and follow up the implementation of this plan. The consultant will also develop a 3-staged training program for river ecology and conduct the 3 training blocks to the representatives from both countries. 

Scope of Work
The River Ecologist and River Restoration Expert will work closely with the PCU to follow up the progress of the local selected firm in each country in the implementation of the 18-month monitoring plan in the selected sub basins in each country.  He/She will analyze the monitoring data and information and develop assessment reports on the E-Flow calculation methodology and the river ecological classification in these sub basins.

The consultant will also work closely with the working group for river restoration in Azerbaijan to develop the ecological restoration plan for Hajiqabul lake. The consultant will assess the ecological stresses on the lake from direct relase of sewage untreated waste from the surrounding village to the lake. He/she will design a constructed wetland to treat that sewage waste before in goes to the lake. He/she will also support the project PCU during the construction of this wetland and during the operation of that wetland for the first year. He/she will also develop a final report on the potential impacts on these restoration project on the ecosystem of the lake.

The expert also will train representatives from the two countries on the concepts and application of River ecology through 3-staged training program. 

The consultant, in collaboration and close coordination with the Project Coordination Unit and the National Focal Points, shall carry out the following activities:

• Visit the two countries to attend the kick off meetings for environmental Flow monitoring programs. He/she will also visit the selected site for river restoration demo project in Hajiqabul Lake in Azerbaijan.
• Draft a report on the current ecological status in the selected site of Hajiqabul Lake, identify the current pressures and the proposed responses to reduce these pressures
• Develop detailed design for a constructed wetland to treat the raw sewage water of the Shirvan summer house village nearby the Baby Hajiqabul Lake for use in the bidding document and include clear specifications for regular monitoring and evaluation for baseline before, during construction and afterwards to gauge environmental impacts
• Attend a workshop in Azerbaijan with all stakeholders to discuss the draft restoration plan for Hajiqabul Lake
• Develop the RFQs for restoration activities of Hajiqabul Lake
• Assist the project team in the technical evaluation for the river restoration proposals
• Attend the Kickoff meeting for the implementation of the River restoration plan in Hajiqabul Lake with the selected firm
• Assist in following up with the implementation of the restoration plans (field visit half way) with review of monitoring and evaluation criteria
• Prepare the Final report on the river restoration Demo project and its impact on the river ecosystem
• Field mission to present the final report to the stakeholders
• Develop the materials for 3-stages training program for River Ecology
• Conduct the 3-stages training program for River Ecology for the representatives from both countries

Timeframe for Deliverables and financial arrangements
 

Instalment 1
Submit detailed work plan for implementation of activities
Start date: 1 October 2018 
End date: 15 October 2018

Develop the training material for 3 staged training program on river Ecology and ecological restoration
Start date: 1 October 2018 
End date: 20 October 2018

Visit the two countries to do the following (10 days: 5 days in GE and 5 days in AZ):
Attend meetings for E-Flow monitoring program in the two countries.
Conduct the first module of River ecology training (1 and a half day in each country)
Visit the selected site for river restoration in Hajiqabul Lake in AZ.
Start date: 21 October 2018
End date: 31 October 2018
Payment due: 15% of the total lump sum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Instalment 2
Develop detailed design for a constructed wetland to treat the raw sewage water of the village nearby the Hajiqabul Lake.
Start date: 1 November 2018
End date: 30 Nov ember 2018

Develop the technical requirements for the RFP for the implementation of the constructed wetland in Hajiqabul Lake 
Start date: 1 December 2018
End date: 15 Dec ember 2018
Payment due: 20% of the total lump sum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Instalment 3

Support the Project PCU in the evaluation of the technical offers to implement the constructed wetland
Start date: 1 February 2019
End date: 15 February 2019

Field visit to the region for 5 days to achieve the following:
Attend the Kick off meeting for the constructed wet land implementation contract
Conduct the Ecological Training Block II (2 days per country)
Start date: 25 February 2019
End date: 1 March 2019

Develop an assessment report on the Environmental Flow Methodology Results up till end of April 2019 and recommendations for methodology update if needed
Start date: 1 May 2019
End date: 31 May 2019

Field visit to the region for 5 days to achieve the following:
Attend the completion of the constructed wet land implementation and the hand over from the contractor to the municipality of Hajiqabul
Conduct the Ecological Training Block III (2 days per country)
Start date: 23 September 2019
End date: 27 September 2019
Payment due: 30% of the total lump sum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Instalment 4
Develop Final report on the Environmental Flow methodology after 18 months of implementation
Start date: 1 March 2020
End date: 31 March 2020

Develop Final report on the ecological classification of the monitored sub basin in each country
Start date: 1 March 2020
End date: 31 March 2020

Prepare the Final report on the river restoration Demo project and its impact on the river ecosystem
Start date: 1 March 2020
End date: 31 March 2020

Field mission to the region for 5 days to achieve the following:
Conduct meeting to present the results of E-Flow and the Ecological classification for each sub basin
present the final report on Demo project on river restoration to the stakeholders
Start date: 20 April 2020
End date: 24 April 2020
Payment due: 35% of the total lump sum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Information on Working Arrangements: 

The international River basin ecological restoration Expert will report to the Project Chief Technical Advisor / Regional Project Coordinator (CTA/RPC). Deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the CTA/RPC.

Time Frame 
 
The expected time frame for the Consultant to complete these activities is 18 months starting from. October 2018 with approximately 80 working days during this period (55 days home based and 4 field missions to the region with total of 25 days (one mission for 10 days and 3 missions each of 5 days (each mission will have half the time in Azerbaijan and half the time in Georgia)).  
 
Financial Arrangements 
 
Payments as percentage of lump sum will be made monthly on the following based on approval and timely completion of above all deliverables described above.
Any delay of deliverable must be approved by the CTA in writing

Competencies

Functional competencies

• Strong communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to work with a multi-national team and to work with government institutions;
• Demonstrated ability to work on the field to monitor and assess river ecology and river restoration;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• M.Sc in ecology, biology or other relevant degree required, PhD in Ecology with a focus on fresh water ecosystems a strong asset. (Criteria A)

Experience

• At least 6 years proven experience in critically assessing degraded ecosystems at different temporal and spatial scales and locations (local to international) and identifying primary causal factors contributing to the declining conditions of target ecosystems; (Criteria B)
• Experience in designing constructed wetlands to treat municipal sewage water from small communities. (Criteria C)
• Experience in the assessment and application of environmental flow in the rivers and different methodologies for calculating the environmental flow (Criteria D)
• Demonstrated experience in river basin ecological classifications according to internationally accepted standards required; (Criteria E)
• Experience in training for non-ecologists on general ecology; specialization in training on river ecology, freshwater ecosystems functions, and/or IWRM as strong asset (Criteria F)

Language: 

• English is the working language for this assignment, therefore excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Ability to communicate in Russian is an advantage

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical P11 desk reviews and interviews and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only candidates who will get min. 70% of points in desk review (criteria A-F) will be invited for an interview. Only candidates who will get min. 70% of points in technical evaluation (criteria A-G) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Evaluation Criteria
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

• Criteria A – Academic qualification / education – max points 10;
• Criteria B – Experience – max points 10;
• Criteria C – Experience– max points 15;
• Criteria D – Experience– max points 10;
• Criteria E – Experience – max points 10;
• Criteria F – Experience – max points 5;
• Criteria G – Interview (language, communication and technical skills) – max points 10

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); 
•  A summary proposal indicating the methodology (max. 2 500 words) on how you will approach and conduct the work to be done for achieving the task, main points to be discussed with the countries and to also be addressed in your report, plan for visiting countries, the structure of your final report. 
• Offeror’s Letter (blank template can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/2KO1okS).
• Financial Proposal* in USD - specifying a) total lump sum amount for professional fee for the tasks specified in this announcement and b) breakdown of mission related costs (including i) travel costs and ii) per diem for 4 field missions to the region with total of 25 days (one mission for 10 days and 3 missions each of 5 days (each mission will have half the time in Azerbaijan and half the time in Georgia)) 
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.  

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.